Dubai, UAE, April 1, 2005: Residents of Dubai's Sheikh Zayed Road received an unusual wake-up call on April Fool's Day when demolition experts collapsed the World Trade Centre Hotel.

The site of the well-known 25-year-old building will be occupied by a luxury residential development, the World Trade Centre Residence, due for completion in December 2007.

UK-based Controlled Demolition Group reduced the old World Trade Centre Hotel to dust and rubble in seconds through a series of controlled explosions at 8:00am, Friday morning. Dubai Police cordoned off the area, evacuated surrounding buildings, and closed Sheikh Zayed Road prior to the demolition, making for a textbook public safety exercise.

Asteco, the real estate consultancy firm responsible for the sale of World Trade Centre Residence apartments, welcomed buyers, the media and business associates for a VIP viewing of the demolition from the roof of the Dubai International Exhibitions Centre.

Elaine Jones, Asteco CEO, said: "The World Trade Centre Hotel building was a familiar landmark, but we're delighted to see it make way for a new development perfectly in tune with the ambitions of Dubai. Today's demolition is symbolic of the emirate's rapid progress, and the World Trade Centre Residence will fully justify its billing as one of the most elegant and luxurious residential developments in downtown Dubai."

The 'blow down' was the culmination of three months of careful preparation work, which included stripping the World Trade Centre Hotel building, removing block work, drilling to place charges, and executing test blasts and rigorous safety tests. Four hundred kilos of locally manufactured explosives, linked to 300 detonators, were used in Friday's demolition. Clearing the site will take a further six to eight weeks before preliminary work on the new World Trade Centre Residence can begin.

Richard Green, Project Manager of Controlled Demolition Group, led the 50 strong team responsible for the World Trade Centre Hotel demolition. A 12-year veteran of the company and a former military explosives expert with the British Army, Green also managed the demolition of the Chicago Beach Hotel, forerunner of the iconic The Jumeirah Beach Hotel, in 1997.

Established in 1985, UK-based Controlled Demolition Group specialises in traditional demolition, emergency demolition, explosive demolition and decommissioning services for public and private sector clients. It demolishes as many as 30 high-rise buildings a year and has completed projects outside the UK in Asia, the Middle East, Scandinavia, mainland Europe & USA.

Location is a major selling point of the new World Trade Centre Residence, which will be walking distance from the Dubai International Financial Centre, the World Trade Centre, and Emirates Towers. Asteco's Jones added: "We're seeing interest from elite clientele from the most moneyed parts of the world including Manhattan and Beverley Hills, and from VVIP clients across the Middle East."

The World Trade Centre Residence's architects have increased the number of apartments, available on 99-year lease contracts, from 350 to 377 to meet increasing demand.

Due for completion in December 2007, the new development promises a combination of the ultimate home environment with levels of five-star luxury and service associated with the best hotels. Residents are guaranteed secure privacy and the finest personal touch, including 24-hour concierge and valet services.

A landscaped rooftop garden and terrace, fully equipped gym and health club, and temperature-controlled pool and poolside caf are other winning features of the World Trade Centre Residence. The rooftop will be home to The World Trade Centre Residence Club, an informal retreat and meeting place strictly for residents and guests.
 
 Hospitality leader Jumeirah International is the exclusive building and facilities management consultant for the World Trade Centre Residence. New York-based Turner Construction is the project and construction manager.

Asteco is the real estate consultant responsible for the sale of all World Trade Centre Residence apartments.

Asteco has an extensive client list in the UAE, and an impressive portfolio of properties in Europe. In the UAE, Asteco has offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Al Ain.

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© Press Release 2005